Policies & City Chickens

In Chicago, keeping
chickens as pets and for eggs (humanely, cleanly, appropriately) is not prohibited in residential districts. There
is no specific prohibition on livestock in residential areas, but
slaughtering, nuisance, sanitation, and humane treatment and housing ordinances
apply.

There's no limit on numbers of chickens, nor is there a ban on roosters.

Keeping ANY animal for the purpose of slaughtering for food is prohibited.
Permitted slaughtering facilities in Chicago (like "Live Poultry" establishments) are monitored by
the state under biosecurity protocols.

We want to preserve the option of keeping chickens (and other livestock) in Chicagoland backyardsTo that end we network with each other, provide backyard chicken keepers with advice and guidance, offer workshops and coop tours to promote best practices, and correct misinformation.

See our publication, the 2013 Windy City Backyard Chicken Resource Guide. If you would like to serve as Backyard Chickens ambassador in your ward (of Chicago) or your town, contact Martha Boyd for more information: martha@learngrowconnect.org.

In 2010, students of Hugh Bartling, professor at DePaul U, surveyed staff in more than 20 municipalities around the country after they passed ordinances allowing chickens to see what impact it had on staff and communities. The report is HERE, and it was incorporated into this set of notes/discussion for the Batavia City services committee. These provide a great overview of real issues that typically arise, and productive discussion about them.

These and the examples
that follow provide models and guidance; some details may have changed since
they were posted.

In January 2008, we drafted
language for an ordinance in Chicago to reserve in case of future need. (See the attachment below.) A Chicken Ordinance in Chicago could include elements common to other cities’ regulations.For example:

A limit on total number of
chickens allowed per residence or standard lot (but at least 2 since they are social animals), and/or

A maximum number of chickens
allowed without a permit or license, and/or

A requirement to complete a
training/workshop on best practice.

No roosters allowed, or no crowing that neighbors identify as a nuisance.